Costa Rica 2022

We decided to take an adventurous trip to Costa Rica for fall break. We were a little nervous because it was supposed to be the rainy season but I am so glad we took the risk because it was SO MUCH FUN!!!

We were trying to kill time before our flight back home and went to see the temple in San Jose. Sadly it was closed but we got to see it from the gates and then walked over to this really old cemetery which was really awesome with moss everywhere and awesome headstones that were pretty old. 

This was on our first day when we got there after picking up the car. We had some authentic food and we all thought the food was pretty amazing except for the boys! Grandma Allen joined us last minute on the trip and it was so fun to have her. Sadly Grandpa couldn't make it because he didn't have a passport. 

These pics are from our first hotel in La Fortune. Everyone was a little leary of my hotel choices since everywhere we drove by was pretty scary shacks. BUT, we pulled in to a gated complex and it was so cute. Awesome big rooms with plenty of beds, cute pool and most importantly these awesome gardens with a tour guide who took us out at night to see SO many frogs. Poisonous dart frogs, red eyed frogs, toads, so many different types. The kids got pretty great at spotting them. The next morning they fed birds for us and let us see the gorgeous wildlife that surrounded us. 

Ant eaters, I think!

Arenal Hanging Bridges was amazing. It rained a lot but its so covered in trees that it really wasn't that bad but definity glad we had rain jackets. 

It was absolutely breath taking and kind of scary going over these huge bridges. We had a snake slither right in front of Lexi and she scream like a little girl and we got to see a tuacan at the end. 

There is a river that comes off of the Arenal volcano and it is a hot spring. The water was toasty warm and so much fun to play in. We got to see sloths up in the trees. The only downfall was that we had no idea how there money worked and i'm sure frequently paid everyone way more than we were supposed to but we had no idea what we were doing!!

WE tried some coconut and you can't tell from there faces but they hated it. But glad they tried it. 

La Fortune waterfall was absolutely gorgeous and our firs monkey sighting. It was fun to see them in the trees and the waterfall was huge. We had to go down hundreds of steps but so many fun things to see along the way. 

The water was FREEZING!

These are my new favorite flowers. 

The hotel was stocked with everything except bowls

Bird and ant watching at our hotel

Strapping on our gear for our day adventure of zip lining and horse riding. 

We took a bus ride down some questionable roads and then took a good hike to our first zip line. Luckily they got us started on one that wasn't too long or scary. 

The boys got to go a couple of times on there own which they loved the rest of the time they had to go with the guide because they didn't weigh enough. Tess threw a bit of a fit because she had to go with a sweaty, smelly guy (her words not mine) haha next time she needs to weigh a little bit more. 

We went over waterfalls on really long zip lines. It was such an incredible experience. I am terrified of heights and was reluctant but excited and it was one of the funnest things we did. 

Tess had a horrifying experience with a horse just a few weeks before our trip and she had a come apart. We didn't realize shed be so scared but she had to do it so the guide had to lead her back. I felt so bad for her. I hope shes not scared of horses forever. 

We found this beauty off the side of the road and quickly became one of our other favorite places. It was gorgeous and we could cliff jump, rope swing and swim in the pretty clear water. 

We took a long ride to the southeast side of the island to the Caribbean side. We weren't expecting to love it as much as we did. The water is definitely my favorite ocean of everywhere we've been. It was clear and so warm. It was a little creepy because we had noone else on the beach with us so we were worried it was like a shark beak or something. But we were able to drive right up to the beach. 

We were able to hear and see TONS of monkeys. It was a hightlight for me for sure. There was tons with cute little babies with them. 

We had pizza a lot. It was really good and afordable. 

Hanging at our second hotel which was a little house near the beach. It had the craziest well water that turned all of our clothes yellow. And the beds werent the comfiest but it was still a awesome place. 

It was such a beautiful trip. One of our most favorite vacations with lots of good family bonding especially since we didn't have cell phone service. So blessed to see all of these beautiful places. Can't wait til the next adventure.